Portable computer with thermal control and power source shield

Abstract

A portable computer having a partially sealed cooling system is disclosed. The portable computer contains heat transfer materials that function to remove heat from a sealed area of the portable computer to an unsealed area where the heat may be more effectively dissipated. A portable computer having a power source shield is also disclosed. The shield may be formed to partially surround a portion of the power source, and may be formed by partially enclosing a power source in a conductive material; forming an opening in the conductive material on one side of the power source; installing the power source near an edge of the electronic device; and orienting the power source so that the opening faces the edge of the electronic device.

1. A portable computer, comprising:
 a power source; and 
 an electrically conductive foil; wherein 
 the electrically conductive foil is configured to at least partially surround at least a portion of the power source; and 
 the electrically conductive foil comprises at least one opening formed on one side of the power source, wherein the at least one opening is positioned so as to direct electromagnetic radiation, which is generated by the power source, away from components internal to the portable computer. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable computer of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermally conductive material, operable to conductively transfer heat away from the at least one opening formed on the one side of the power source. 
     
     
       3. The portable computer of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening is configured to permit an electromagnetic field associated with the power source of a pre-selected magnitude. 
     
     
       4. The portable computer of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening is approximately rectangular. 
     
     
       5. The portable computer of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a group of smaller openings. 
     
     
       6. The portable computer of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive foil is selected from a group consisting of copper, steel, gold, and aluminum foils. 
     
     
       7. The portable computer of  claim 1 , wherein the power source is installed near an edge of the portable computer, and wherein the at least one opening is formed on the one side of the power source facing the edge of the portable computer. 
     
     
       8. The portable computer of  claim 3 , wherein a size and location of the at least one opening determines the pre-selected magnitude of the electromagnetic field associated with the power source. 
     
     
       9. A method for fabricating an electromagnetic shield in an electronic device, comprising:
 enclosing at least a portion of a power source in a conductive material; 
 forming at least one opening in the conductive material on one side of the power source; 
 installing the power source near an edge of the electronic device; and 
 orienting the power source so that the at least one opening faces the edge of the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the conductive material is selected from the group consisting of copper, steel, gold, and aluminum foils. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a group of smaller openings. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9 , wherein said forming the at least one opening comprises orienting the at least one opening so as to direct electromagnetic radiation away from any sensitive circuitry of the electronic device. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9 , wherein said forming the at least one opening comprises selecting a size and location of the at least one opening so that the power source will operate at a pre-selected efficiency.